Fluid inflatable corridor



June 29, 1954 R. L. MILLER FLUID INFLATABLE CORRIDOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed March 17, 1951 FIG" 4 INVENTOR. RALPH L. MILLER AT TORNEY June 29,1954 R ER I 2,682,274

FLUID INFLATABLE CORRIDOR Filed March 1'7, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 H 4INVENTOR.

N 1 Y F 6 RALPH L. MILLER 13 [A T TO R u EY June 29, 1954 R. L. MILLERFLUID INFLATABLE CORRIDOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 1'7, 1951INVENTOR. RALPH I... MILLER ATTORNEY Patented June 29, 1954 FLUIDINFLATABLE CORRIDOR Ralph L. Miller, Akron, Ohio, assignor, by mesneassignments, to The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, a corporation ofOhio Application March 17, 1951 Serial No. 216,215

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to a form of fluid inflatable corridor forinterconnecting the openings in a storage building or warehouse and avehicle during loading and unloading operations. More particularly, theinvention pertains to a form of connecting passageway by means of whichthe door of a warehouse andthe door of a refrigerator vehicle may beinterconnected to prevent dissipation of the cooling media.

Whenever it is necessary to move stock into or out of a storagewarehouse where the temperature is maintained at low levels byrefrigeration, the opening of the doors will soonraise the tem peraturemany degrees and create "an extra load on the cooling plant. Likewise,the opening of the doors of a refrigerator car or truck will materiallyaffect the temperatures therein in a very short period of time.

The present invention contemplates a double walled frame, corridor orpassageway which may advantageously be mounted on the outer wall of thewarehouse encompassing the doorway for temporary connection with thewall of the vehicle when the chambers formed between the walls areinflated with fluid under pressure. This serves as a very satisfactorymeans of sealing the space between openings in the building and thevehicle so that all stock may be moved across a conventional bridge organgplank extending therebetween and completely enclosed within thecorridor.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a meansfor satisfactorily interconnecting the doorways or other openings inthe. walls of a warehouse and a vehicle during the loading or unloadingof the same.

Other important features and advantages of applicants inventive conceptwill become ap parent as the following description of certain typicalforms of the structure proceeds.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates a refrigerator car and a warehousewith a form of connecting corridor embodying the invention disposedthere: between. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one form of corridor.Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate various details of construction includingmounting means and sealing members and the like. Big. 7 shows analternative construction for the corridor.

In Fig. 1, the reference character I identifies generally the fluidinflatable corridor, or passage way connecting a doorway (not shown) inthe building 2 with a doorway (not shown) in the refrigerator car 3spotted on a railroad siding i. The corridor I is normally securedpermanently to the outer wall of the building 2' in a manner more fullydescribed hereinafter. When the corridor I is inflated and extended tothe car 3, the bridge or gangplank 5 is placed between the two doorwaysand the loading or unloading operationis conducted wholly within theinterior of the corridor I.

The corridor i may be constructed of any suitable length sufficient toextend from the building?! to the car 3. The corridor I embodies a frameor conduit 6, a mounting means I at one end thereof for mounting theunit on the building 2 and a temporary attachment 8 in the form ofdetachable fastenings or tie cords 9 in cooperation with a sealingelement or gasket Ill.

The corridor I may assume any one of several different forms, the mostadvantageous being that embodying a two ply fabric II of the type shownin Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 representing sections taken normal to the planeof the walls. The two-ply fabric I I has a first ply I2 and a second plyI3 which are constructed in superposed re-v lation to each other with amultiplicity of substantially inextensible tie threads [4 ofpredetermined length woven interconnecting the fabr'i'c'plieslz and I3The inextensible tie threads M extend between the plies I 2 and I3 andare alternately woven into, the plies i2 and It respectively. In onefabric of this type, the tie thread is woven into one of the plies for ashort distance then dropped down to the other ply and woven into thatply a short distance and then backup to the original ply so that the tiethreads in reality are formed of a relatively long thread that isalternately woven into the two fabric plies vi to maintain the plies insubstantially parallel relation when the tie threads are extended. Whenthe ends of the fabric I! are properly sealed and the chamber I5 betweenthe fabric plies I2 and I3 is filled with fluid under pressureintroduced thereto by means of a port or valve 56, the corridor I willassume the shape illustrated in Fig. 2 and the fabric M will appear asshown. in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6.

In the fabrication of the fabric ll into the generally tubularconstruction shown in Fig. 2,

the opposed corners II and I8 are produced as shown in Fig. 3. The plyi3 is cut at I9 and the excess portions are folded inwardly and areinforeing strip or tape at is applied thereby producing the finishedcorner. Similarly, the opposed corners 2i and '22 are formed by cuttingthe ply I3 as at 23, afiixing the reinforcing strip or tape M and, theadditional reinforcement 25 externally. Thus the chamber I5 in thecorridor I formed from the fabric I is continuous throughout thestructure.

It will be readily understood that the chamber l5 may be formed insegments, if desired, to provide greater strength. This can beaccomplished by introducing one or more partitions (not shown)internally of the fabric II, if such an arrangement is desired. In suchcase, more than one valve I6 will be required to accomplish theinflation of the structure. More than one such valve may be used in anyevent.

The mounting means 1 comprises a fabric strip or flap 26 which issecured to the outermost surface of the ply I3 of the fabric II as shownin Fig. 6, doubled over a rope or cable 29 and bonded to the outermostsurface of ply I2. The flap 26 extends, as shown in Fig. 2, completelyaround the entire circumferential dimension of the one end of thecorridor I and forms a flange for securing the same to the building 2. Acrotch tape reinforcement 30 is applied to the junction of the doubledportions of the flap 26 to seal the edge of the chamber I5 and toreinforce the mounting means 1.

Any suitable form of anchoring device 3| may be employed to attach theflap 26 to the wall 32 of the building 2. One form of anchoring device3| which is highly satisfactory embodies a metal strip 33 apertured atspaced intervals therealong to receive the screws 34 which are screwedinto the wall 32 of the building. Many other forms of anchoring devicesmay be used in place of those described above.

The tie cords 9 of the temporary attachment 8 on corridor areadvantageously anchored in place with respect to the fabric II by meansof the patches 35 adhesively secured to the outermost surface of the plI2. A pair of holes 36 are punched in each patch 35 to permit the endsof the tie cords 9 to pass therethrough and permit suflicient freedom totie the same to the fittings (not shown) on the car 3.

The gasket I is adhesively secured to the end of the corridor I oppositethat on which the mounting means 1 is formed. The plies I2 and I3 of thetwo-ply fabric II are drawn inwardly as shown in Fig. and held in placeby the narrow tape or strip 31 of single ply fabric. A wide tape orstrip 38 of single ply fabric is applied over the narrow strip 31 toprovide additional reinforcement for the joint. The gasket II] which isformed of a resilient rubber is bonded to the exposed surface of thewide strip 38 for contact with the wall 39 of the car 3.

Another form of construction which may be employed for the corridor I isillustrated in Fig. 7 and is identified generally by the referencecharacter 46. The corridor 40 embodies a skeleton or frame 4|constructed of a plurality of interconnected tubular elements 42, 43,44, 45 forming a rectangular shape connected by means of the spacerelements 46, 41, 4B, 49 to a second series of tubular elements 50, 5|,52, 53. By reason of the several tubular elements being interconnectedas shown, a single inflating valve 59 may be employed to cause the frame4| to assume its eventual shape.

An outer fabric wall or enclosure 54 completely encloses the frame 4|and is supported thereby. A second internally disposed fabric wall 55 issecured to and supported by the frame 4| thereby producing a doublewalled structure in which the walls are spaced apart by the severaltubular elements comprising the frame. The chamber 56 formed between thetwo walls 54 and 55 is arranged to be inflated with fluid under pressurewith the aid of a port or valve 51. Other additional valves 51 may beadded to facilitate the inflation of the frame 4|, if desired.

The corridor 4!] is provided with a flap 5B which is generally similarin its contruction to the flap 26 of the mounting means 1 of thecorridor A rubber gasket (not shown) similar to the gasket I0 may besecured to the face of the tubular elements 42, 43, 44, 45 of the frame4|, if desired, to provide a somewhat better seal with respect to thecar 3 when the corridor 4!! is in use.

Corridors I and 46 are highly advantageous in that they provide a dualwalled enclosure for joining together the open doorways of a buildingand a vehicle and create an ample and totally unobstructed passagebetween the two. Moreover, the presence of the air chambers I5 and 56serves to form an insulating medium to prevent the effect of outsidetemperatures on the building and also on the vehicle.

Wherever used herein, the word tubular should be construed in itsbroadest sense, par ticularly as employed in the appended claims. Theterm is ordinarily applied to a pipe-like structure which is generallycircular in cross section and of greater axial than cross sectionaldimension. The meaning intended here includes a hollow conduit ofcircular, oval, square or polygonal cross section and a structure inwhich the axial dimension has no specific relation to the diameter ortransverse dimension of the corridor I.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown forthe purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in this art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A fluid inflatable corridor comprising a double-walled flexiblefabric frame of generally tubular construction having a substantiallyfluidimpervious coating thereon and defining a fluidtight chamberbetween the walls thereof; a mounting member on one end of the frame;fastening means on the opposite end of the frame; and a sealing elementon the end of the frame adjacent the fastening means.

2. A fluid inflatable corridor comprising a double-walled flexiblefabric frame of generally tubular construction having a substantiallyfluidimpervious coating thereon and defining a fluidtight chamberbetween the walls thereof; means for introducing fluid under pressure tothe chamber; a mounting member on one end of the frame; a plurality offastening means on the opposite end of the frame; and a sealing elementon the end of the frame adjacent the fastening means.

3. A fluid inflatable corridor comprising a double-Walled flexiblefabric frame of generally tubular construction having a substantiallyfluid-impervious coating thereon and defining a fluid-tight chamberbetween the walls thereof; a flap extending circumferentially of one endof the frame; anchoring devices for use with the flap; means forintroducing fluid under pressure to the chamber; a plurality of tiecords on the opposite end of the frame; and a gasket member secured tothe end of the frame adjacent the tie cords.

4. A fluid inflatable corridor for interconnecting the openings ofbuildings and refrigerator vehicles, said corridor comprising a conduitof doublenvalled generally tubular construction having substantiallyfluid-impervious coating thereon and sealed at the ends thereof to forma fluid-tight chamber defined by a pair of superposed fabric pliesinterconnected by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threadsof predetermined length extending between the plies to maintain theplies in substantially parallel relation; means on one end of theconduit for securing the same to the building; fastening means on theconduit for temporary attachment to the vehicle; and a sealing elementon the end of the conduit connected to the vehicle.

5. A fluid inflatable corridor for interconnecting the openings ofbuildings and refrigerator vehicles, said corridor comprising a conduitof doublewalled generally tubular construction having a substantiallyfluid-impervious coating thereon and sealed at the ends thereof to forma fluidtight chamber defined by a pair of superposed fabric pliesinterconnected by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threadsof predetermined length extending between the plies to maintain theplies in substantially parallel relation; means on the conduit forintroducing fluid under pressure to the chamber; a mounting member atone endoi the conduit for securing the same to the building andenclosing the opening therein; a plurality of fastening means secured tothe conduit adjacent the other end thereof for temporary attachment ofthat end of the conduit to the vehicle to enclose the opening therein;and a sealing element on the end of the conduit contacting the vehicle.

6. A fluid inflatable corridor for interconnecting the openings ofbuildings and refrigerator vehicles, said corridor comprising a conduitof doublewalled generally tubular construction having a substantiallyfluid-impervious coating thereon and sealed at the ends thereof to forma fluidtight chamber defined by a pair of superposed fabric pliesinterconnected by a plurality of substantially inextensible tie threadsof predetermined length extending between the plies to maintain theplies in substantially parallel relation; means on the conduit forintroducing fluid under pressure to the chamber; a flap extendingcircumferentially of an end of the conduit; anchoring devices forsecuring the flap to the building with the flap arranged to completelyencompass the opening therein; a plurality of tie cords secured to theconduit adjacent the other end thereof for temporarily attaching thatend of the conduit to the vehicle and substantially completelyencompassing the opening therein; and a gasget member on the end of theconduit contacting the vehicle to eifect sealing engagement therewith.

7. A fluid inflatable corridor for interconnecting the openings ofbuildings and refrigerator vehicles, said corridor comprising a flexiblefabric frame embodying a plurality of interconnecting generallycylindrical inflatable members; a fabric wall having a fluid-imperviouscoating thereon disposed on each side of the frame completely enclosingthe same and forming therebetween a substantially fluid-tight chamber; amounting member for securing the frame to the building surrounding theopening therein; fastening means for securing the other end of the frameto the vehicle so as to encompass the opening therein; and a sealingelement on the end of the frame connected to the vehicle.

8. A fluid inflatable corridor for interconnecting the openings ofbuildings and refrigerator vehicles, said corridor comprising a flexiblefabric frame embodying a plurality of interconnecting generallycylindrical inflatable members; a fabric Wall having a fluid-imperviouscoating thereon disposed on each side of the frame completely enclosingthe same and forming therebetween a substantially fluid-tight chamber;a. mounting flap on one end of the frame extending circumferentiallythereof; means for securing the flap to the building so as to surroundthe opening therein; a plurality of tie cords secured to the outermostfabric wall adjacent the other end of the frame for temporarilyattaching the same to a vehicle and encompassing the opening therein;and a gasket member extending about the end of the frame contacting thevehicle to effect sealing engagement therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 326,242 Prosser Sept. 15, 1885 468,455 Giessrnann Feb. 9, 18921,827,427 Fincher Oct. 13, 1931 2,297,150 Hunter Sept. 29, 19422,567,995 Eshnaur Sept. 18, 1951 2,591,829 Katzenmeyer et al. Apr. 8,1952

